In January of 1994, Steve Kouri led a small group of civic minded citizens in seeking to persuade the IHSA to move its Boys State Basketball Finals to Peoria after it had been held in Champaign for 77 years. Few thought the goal possible, but Steve kept the focus sharp in months of quiet discussion with IHSA officials.

On May 5, 1995, the lHSA shocked folks across the state when Peoria won out over competing bids by Champaign and Bloomington.

In the years that followed, competition became fierce, but through the work of Kouri and his group of dedicated people, Peoria succeeded in putting on a tournament the likes of which became the model for states across this nation. The promise of a "March Madness Experience" was not only kept, but was improved upon year after year. No high school association has ever hosted such an event.

Kouri co-chaired the host committee for the next ten years and his group now coordinates more than 2,000 volunteers and annually raises more than $200,000 in corporate support.

Even after stepping aside and handing the reins to Cat VP Don Weston, Judge Kouri actively participates as a volunteer during the tourney, doing whatever is necessary to insure success. 2009 marks the 14th IHSA Boys Basketball Finals to be held at Peoria's Civic Center.

In addition, Steve has served on the Peoria City Council and his other activities include Bradley Chiefs Club, Easter Seals, Holy Family Parish Council, Visiting Nurses Association, Peoria Notre Dame and 0SF Community Advisory Board.

Dave Darnall, in his 20th season as men's basketball coach at Eureka College, is one of the state's most successful coaches. Last season his team went 24-5, his third consecutive season of 24 or more wins, won the championship of NAIA District 20 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II national tournament at Nampa, Idaho before bowing out, Eureka's second consecutive appearance in the national tournament.

Eureka ranked 13th in the final NAIA Division II poll last year, finished first in rebound percentage, second in team scoring margin, third in three-point field goal shooting, fourth in team scoring defense and sixth in team field goal shooting.

Darnall entered this season with a 356-148 record, placing him 16th on the NAIA percentage win list and 14th on the NCAA Division Ill ranking.